Surface treatment for improved electrochemical performance of activated carbon derived from palm empty fruit bunches

Marzuki, Hasan and Rozhan, Alya Naili and Ani, Mohd Hanafi and Purwanto, Hadi (2026) Surface treatment for improved electrochemical performance of activated carbon derived from palm empty fruit bunches. IIUM Engineering Journal, 27 (3). pp. 431-442. ISSN 1511-788X E-ISSN 2289-7860

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Abstract

Recent interests in sustainable and green technologies for energy storage systems require extensive research to develop sustainable electrode materials. This includes developing biomass-derived activated carbons. In this research, empty fruit bunch (EFB) has been selected as the precursor material to produce activated carbon by the physical activation method, performed at 500 °C to 800 °C. Subsequently, a surface treatment process was performed using nitric acid to introduce oxygen functional groups. This step further improved the electrochemical properties of the EFB-based activated carbon material. The resulting samples were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical performance was examined through cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). FTIR analysis confirmed successful incorporation of oxygen functional groups, enhanced surface wettability, and improved electrolyte penetration. CV measurements showed a significant increase in the specific capacitance after treatment. Surface treatment of the activated carbon positively impacted all samples. The largest percentage increase was observed in sample AC ST 500, with a 71% increase in specific capacitance from 24 F g-1 to 71 F g-1. AC ST 800 displayed the highest overall capacitance after surface treatment, at 183 F g-1, a 9% increase from 166 F g-1 before surface treatment. This result shows that adding oxygen functional groups improves these properties by increasing surface wettability, which increases ion penetration within the activated carbon.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Empty fruit bunch, activated carbon, physical activation, acid surface treatment, supercapacitor
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering
Depositing User:	Alya Naili Rozhan
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2026 15:49
Last Update:	21 Sep 2026 15:49
Queue Number:	2026-09-Q5170
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131356
Indexed In:	SCOPUS, ERA, Google Scholar, MyCite

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